Mushers and Their Dogs

During the musher’s banquet, I was surprised to hear almost every musher talk with a genuine depth and passion about the community they have developed among one another. During the training season, mushers share dogs, training tips, and trail advice. Along the Iditarod trail they encourage one another, offer dry socks, trade for warm shirts, or give dog booties. I was impressed by the sense of community they all share.

This closeness seems to come from some very important commonalities – the love of the race and the love of their dogs. I’m beginning to understand what this kind of community feels like when that common thread is Jesus. What a sweet and special feeling.

When visiting the dog lot – the place mushers leave their dogs after the race to be bedded, fed, monitored, and otherwise loved – I was struck by how small and how skinny these dogs are. Most have ribs easily visible under their skin. I read that the dogs eat and burn over 10,000 calories each day while on the trail. While in the dog lot, these beautiful creatures howled in a synchronized chorus reminiscent of something deeply spiritual.